Back in the Saddle

We're back!  After six weeks in the States, we finally touched down back in Beijing and then headed home to Tianjin where we've been unpacking and getting over jet lag for the last week and a half.  Our time in the States was great--3 weeks in Dallas, 2 in Florida, and one in Colorado made for a full schedule visiting friends and family.  We breathed in the clean air as much as we could, had our fill of Dr. Pepper, Chick-fill-A, and Tex Mex, and walked on as much grass as we could find!  Some of my favorite moments involving the kids and their reactions to life in the US included the following:

• Karis (just turned 8) being so excited about how good the ice cream was at Chick-fill-A that she actually went up to the young guy working the register to let him know that they make "delicious" ice cream!
• Noah (just turned 3) loving getting to ride in the back seat in a car seat and enjoying the scenic view as we passed a golf course, stating, "Mom, this is FABULOUS!"
• Hudson (5 yrs.) asking at every place we visited if he could drink water directly from the water faucet and wanting to stick his head underneath to do so
• Eli (6 yrs.) remembering every park we'd been to and wanting to kick a soccer ball or even just run through the grass at each one we passed

We were so thankful that the kids remembered so many of the people and places we'd been to last summer.  They had long lists of things they were excited to do (going to the public library, seeing the ducks at the mall, eating at their favorite ice cream places, going to the dollar store to pick out a toy)--and I think we got just about all of them in!  It was a total whirlwind; we stayed in 10 different places during our 6 weeks there.  I must say, by about House #8, I was about ready to stop packing up and start preparing for our own home here in China.  The kids loved everywhere we did, but it's also been equally as encouraging to see how happy they are to return to their home, their own beds, and our normal routine here in China.

Our routine, however, has been a little bit not-so-normal as compared to what it usually has been these past 3 years.  For the first time, Kevin and I are both working (teachers at the kids' international school) and we've already started with training and in-service days all week.  So rather than biking to class every day (or 3 days a week for me), we're riding the bus to the international school to begin preparing our classrooms and lesson plans.  We've been sooooooo excited to see the hearts of the leadership and the other staff at the school.  It is a like-minded institution; truly a rarity in China.  Kevin and I have either been taking turns in going to school or else the kids have been with our ayi.  They've had great time with her, but I think everyone is ready for the kids to get back into the classroom now, too!  We'll have all 4 there this year (Noah coming home at noon with me when I'm done teaching), so they're all gearing up for new teachers and seeing old friends.

Our week back has been slightly disorienting for both Kevin and me.  We've finally gotten things figured out, as far as our roles and responsibilities throughout the week; but now we're kind of taking most of the things that were "givens" and starting over.  Kevin has never taught in a high school classroom before, so the whole thing kind of makes him feel like a fish out of water.  I've never taught since having kids, so balancing my time to try to do all things well has my head spinning a bit.  Also coming back from such sweet time of fellowship with friends and family, from being able to get groceries so easily and transportation be so simple, from safety of the kids being something we could relax on a great deal, all these are probably factors that play into us "idling a little bit low" this week.  The cultural rubs are more apparent and things I'm having to consciously make an effort to not be bothered by.  The afternoons seem long and somewhat lonely.  The heat and pollution make the air seem stifling and uncomfortable to be outside in for long periods of time at all.  And yet even today we had multiple reminders of His goodness: a rain that brought clear skies (no small miracle!) and a cool breeze, a kind email of encouragement from a friend, sweet time of fellowship as a family dancing in the living room to some of the kids' favorite praise music.  With each challenge that comes, Kevin and I keep reminding one another of what we know to be true:  we have an incredible opportunity for further dependence on Him.  And no doubt those opportunities will continue!

In the past week we've had 3 nephews born (twins to my brother's wife and a single birth for Kevin's brother's wife)  and my grandmother (who is 89) is significantly declining in her health.  It's during these times that being so far away really aches.  How I long to hold those sweet babies and hug my grandmother's neck one more time!  So our hope and our prayer during this time of transitioning back into our "new normal" here in China and as we prepare for our new roles as teachers beginning this week, is that we would do so well; that we would grieve when necessary, experience daily the joy to be found in the little things,  and walk forward with hope, even if that walk is but a plod some days!  ("I can plod."  William Carey)